Yesterday was a tough day losing Primogeniture at Warwick and I can’t put it any better than Paul Davis, who runs our Racing Club for us, did in his email to our Club Members so I will simply share that with you;
“It’s is with tremendous sadness that I need to let you know that Primogeniture broke a hind leg in his fall today at Warwick and has had to be put to sleep. Primo was travelling well about one mile from the finish of the race but fell at the 11th fence with Lewis Stones riding him.
I’m afraid I know very little of the accident – I wasn’t able to go racing today and so followed the race from my phone and it wasn’t clear from the picture whether he had got up again. When I wasn’t able to get hold of Martin after the race I feared the worst, and this was confirmed when Belinda called me shortly afterwards to tell me the sad news and that Martin was too upset to be able to get any words out, and was barely able even to talk to her. Many of the staff at the yard are in tears as he was such a popular horse who had been at the yard for quite a long time and they had all ridden him at home and loved him to bits. Furthermore, he has been a wonderful servant to the Racing Club and given us so much fun and so many wonderful days out. Belinda has phoned his owners who have been absolutely magnificent and their first concern was with how upset all of the staff at the yard would be and with how they would all be feeling.
This sport that we all love so much can reward us with some wonderful days and take us to some fantastic highs – one such day was at Fontwell at the end of last month when Primo gained the victory he so richly deserved. But it can also punish us with the lowest of the lows and no more so than when these magnificent animals that serve us so proudly pay the ultimate price. Today is one of those days and no words of mine can soften the blow and so it is futile of me to even try, other than to mention that it is unlikely he would have suffered – the vets were immediately on the scene to care for him.
Such a sad day for all of us; for Martin, Belinda and the boys; and for all of the staff at the yard. Rest in peace Primo.
The girls at home were understandably upset – Jasmin finished 3rd on him in her charity race in the summer and Beth Whittle, who is now full time with us, started off riding him out every day and it was down to him that she fell in love with racing and decided to come to work for us. Belinda decided to take them all to our local, the Coach & Horses in Longborough, after work with the boys and we all met them there. Landlord & Landlady Joe & Wendy are Racing Club Members and so supportive. Thanks so much to Sharon & Graham Lovett for leasing him to the Club
Before Primo’s race, Zara Tindall’s Cut And Run ran for us in the Mares’ Hurdle at Warwick under Leighton Aspell. She jumped and travelled really well to run a big race and finish 2nd, 15 lengths clear of the 3rd. I was thrilled with that performance and understandably Zara was too. She’ll go on her winter break I should think soon but will have another run before then.
Lots to school over hurdles and fences this morning and Leighton Aspell and Lewis Stones both in to assist. We schooled Reve, Pinnacle Peak, Solstice Star, Sarasota Star, Witness Protection, Debden Bank, Chequered View, Ballymountain Boy, Big Nasty and Back on the Lash. Paul Davis was in to watch schooling and Roger & Rosemary Sollis in late morning too.
It won’t be an easy day for the Team but no doubt they will pick themselves up and carry on – thanks so much for all the messages, if they’ve come to me directly then I’ve shared them with the team and they appreciate every one.